Silver Mines

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phillipians 2:12).

The word "work out" in the original greek was used to express the hard work involved in digging out the hidden silver in silver mines, how constantly a miner had to dig and dig until the hidden treasure was found.

Yesterday in the Bible study that we had I liked it when we saw what Paul really said to those in the church of Phillipi with this verse. This verse is one of the most misinterpreted verses this days. Many take this verse to say that the Bible itself says we can lose our salvation and that with constant fear we must work with our own strength to keep it...

A gift is a gift. The person who gives you a gift never asks for it back. God gave us salvation when when we decided to accept it. Paul told them to DEVELOP their salvation...because it is an entire package.

Salvation is not something to be kept there at home until the Lord comes back and then show it to Him and say: see, I am saved, I can enter. It is way more than that...but we cannot see that because we haven't even opened our gift.

We don't have the slightest idea of the position we have, the rank bestowed on us. Being a christian doesn't end with accepting Christ...just how we work in keeping our bodies fit and in shape, so we must shape our salvation, put it into work. Can you see now how this verse has nothing to do with either gaining or losing the salvation?

Salvation is not something static. It has to be in movement.

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Romans 12:2). That's what renoation is for, that we might not be still, that we might be changed and dedicated to work in our salvation, not for it. That's why we work daily for a different life, one more attached to Him. Through renewal we grow more constantly and we start to see the things with the eyes of Christ, for we have his mind...or ought to reach it.

Have we found any silver yet? Have we even started digging? Do you have any idea of what God has stored for you both here and in heaven? and of what He expects from you? let us not waste more time and start digging now.